Page 166 of Rookie Attraction

“Can I still talk to her, or will that make things worse?”

“Even if she doesn’t understand everything you’re saying, she needs to know you’re here.”

“Has her oncologist stopped by?”

Dad nods and leads me over to the couch in the corner. Once we sit, he offers me a bottle of Gatorade. I take it, but my stomach’s knotted up and I doubt I can even get liquid down.

“I’m kicking myself.” His normally booming voice wavers. “As soon as she mentioned the issue with her bladder, I should’ve brought her straight here, instead of going to that other damn hospital. I waited too fucking long. This is my fault.”

“You did what you thought was best at the time. You got her seen as fast as possible.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“She ended up here, that’s what⁠—”

“I should’ve paid more attention!”

His outburst startles me, and I glance over, but Mom is still asleep.

“Dad, you’ve been her rock. Always. Blaming yourself isn’t going to help her or you or any of us. She needs us to be strong. And if she heard you talk like that, she’d give you hell.”

My dad grabs a tissue and wipes his eyes.

“Don’t I know it.”

The adoring way he stares at her, even after almost three decades together, has me fighting back tears again. It reminds me of…

I quickly pull my phone out and text Sel.

Finn: I’ve arrived, but she’s asleep, her fever’s running high. Too much to type out in one message but I’ll call you around 10. Is that okay or too late?

Sel: I’ll be waiting

Finn: I thought about your suggestion. Do you still want to stop here on your way to California?

Sel: Absolutely

Finn: Then I’ll see you soon. Miss you

Sel: Miss you more

I pocket my phone and notice the blanket and pillow on the couch.

“Are you sleeping here?”

Dad nods.

“I’m not leaving until she’s released,” he insists. “Are you going to stay at Will’s?”

“I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. If Will’s okay with it, sure. Or given that you’re staying here, I can grab the truck and drive back to the farm to see how everyone else is doing.”

“They’d like that. They’ve been managing things since I can’t.”

“I could help them⁠—”

“No, Finn. I don’t want you doing anything to put your recovery back. Spend the night at home if that’s what you prefer, but no farm work. And don’t argue with me on this.”

“Alright.” I nod. “What do you want me to do?”